A. versicolor doing poorly

[thruthetrees]

I have an A. versicolor sling that is around 2" it has molted once in my care around 2 months ago. Since the last molt it has not eaten well (kills prey, holds onto it for a night and then drops most of it to rot). I have put it in an ICU 3 times now (3rd time today) in the last 45 days. It's abdomen got very shriveled

this was the 2nd time right before putting it in the ICU) it plumped back up after 24 hours so I put it back in it's enclosure.

I have tried to feed it prekilled food (sliced open a dubia, tried smashed up crickets, etc). I do not see anything visibly wrong with the T--the fangs are both there but it's so small that I can't see if there is anything wrong with them. I dont see anything weird in it's enclosure (no sign of mites, etc). This morning when I got home, it was in a death curl on it's web. When I went to put it in an ICU it moved (slowly--it's not in critical condition yet).

Just taken after I put it in the ICU-it crawled right in once it felt the moist paper so I put some water in there for it.

It has been taking about 2 weeks for it's abdomen to shrink. It usually lives in a small cube (4"x4"x7"ish), Eco earth, fake plants and, 2 water caps (had 1 to start, after the 2nd ICU visit I put another) and lots of holes for ventilation--it's around 65-85 depending on the day and time.

I am not sure what else I can/should do...

EDIT: I should note, it's no longer trying to eat but I think that's more premolt than whatever is wrong with it.

 

[Verneph]

Hm, are you doing anything else to increase the humidity besides the water caps? From the sounds of it, your spider is getting repeatedly dehydrated. Some pictures of the enclosure in question would help.

 

[thruthetrees]

I just got back from work and it is on it's back in death curl I am able to see it in the ICU without disturbing it (in a drawer that is cracked open w/just enough light to make out the position).

I also thought it was dehydrating over and over which is weird because it always has water (not a day without it!) and I keep the substrate moist. I have only ever seen it drink once...

Here is the enclosure

Thank you

 

[captmarga]

Was it upright when you left? If so, it would not *normally* turn over to die. On it's back usually implies molting unless it has fallen. Leave it in the ICU and don't disturb it until you are sure it is dead (stink) or it recovers.

My Avics I keep with a little less ventilation, and I can see some humid patches beaded on the sides of their enclosures. Even today, when we got a spritz of rain earlier, it's only 50 % humidity here (Tx).

There is also a thing called SADS - Sudden Avid Death Syndrome - though no one knows what causes it. Seems to happen with avics.

Best of luck with the little one.

Marga

 

[thruthetrees]

It was upright and almost in a death curl when I left... Maybe it is/was trying to molt but doesn't have the energy/health to complete it or something...

Usually I can see some humidity on the sides of the enclosure--I had the top part on the desk after I took the T out (so it looks bone dry in the photo).

Thank you for your input and help... I'll keep you posted of any changes...

 

[lunashimmer]

Oh my goodness, what's with all the bad news with Avics?

Hoping for the best. Keep us updated.

 

[49ers]

Hows she doing now?

 

[thruthetrees]

This morning it already smells enough for me to know it is gone It never moved from the curl it was in last

This was the first T I bought--I picked it up after buying 2 at an expo so it was not technically the first I had/owned, but it was sentimental to me... It was the first T that inspired me to get one... I am going to bury it in the yard, I wouldn't feel right trashing it.

Lunashimmer: it does seems like a bad week for the Avics, huh?

Thank you for the support guys... it helps to know we're not alone when we lose our "little" friends.